• Loan duration: Successful applicants will receive an instrument from the collection for a period of 3 years. In exceptional circumstances, the period may be extended for a further year.

• Additional Support: In addition to the instrument loan, recipients may be offered up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow, which if availed of they will retain and own.

• Violin: Gand & Bernardel Frères (1880)
• Violin: Stephan von Baehr (2007)
• Violin: Alexandre Valois (2024)
• Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (1930)
• The O’Neill Cello & Bow: Conor Russell cello (2015), Robert Pierce bow (2016)

Further information about the instruments available in the Collection can be found below and in our application guidelines.

Individual classical violinists, violists and cellists aged 18 and over who are:

• Irish citizens or resident in the Republic of Ireland. Irish citizens do not need to be living in Ireland in order to apply.

and

• In the final year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree and about to embark on a professional performance career or have completed their 3rd/4th level education within the last 3 years.

Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and from people with disabilities. Music Network encourages prospective applicants with disabilities or access requirements who wish to submit an application or who have difficulties in accessing Online Services to make contact with us as early as possible before the deadline so that every effort to provide reasonable accommodation can be made.

Apply online before 2pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024. Late applications cannot be accepted.

Along with your online application form you will also be required to submit:

• A description of the instrument you currently play
• Your Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages outlining relevant education/training and performance experience)
• Details of your performance experience and career path to date
• Details of upcoming performances and future career plans
• Details of how, at this point in your career, having access to a new instrument will support your career development
• 3 recordings, at least one of which must be a video and one of which must feature unaccompanied playing. Recordings can be shared as web links or mp3 files
• 2 letters of recommendation from former or current teachers/mentors (contact details must be included with their permission to be contacted).

More information on the application process and how to apply can be found in our application guidelines below.

There will be an online information session about the scheme and how to apply on Tuesday 8 October at 6pm.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview the week of 25 November 2024, followed by an in-person audition in Dublin on Thursday 5 December 2024.

Any questions regarding the Music Capital Scheme Award 4 can be sent to Ciarán Kilbride, Operations Administrator at operations@musicnetwork.ie or call +353 1 475 0224.

Deadline for applications: 2pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024

Five instruments from the collection are available through this award: